Self-closing cap for containers



Jan. A18, 1938,. G. l.. LATEUR 2,105,695

SELF CLOSING CAP FOR CONTAINERS Filed Aug. 3, 1936 IN V ENTOR. BYffrozx/[TEUR @MW/MMM@ ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 18, 1938 l n UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE 8 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in selfclosing caps for containers,and it consists of the combinations, constructions and arrangementshereinafterdescribed and claimed.

In my co-pending applications Serial No. 758,640, iiled December 21,1934, and Serial No. 11,707, led March 18, 1935, I show spring coversfor closing the outlet openings in the necks of tubes. These springcovers are disposed on the exterior surfaces of the necks, and thereforeare situated at a greater distance from the tube itself than where thecovers are placed within the necks. One of the objects of the presentinvention is to provide a spring cover disposed within a tube neckwhereby the distance between the cover and the vtube itself is reduced.This results in less squeezing force being necessary to force the tubecontents against the cover to open it.

I also form the neck as a part of the container rather than screw theneck onto the outlet opening of a standard collapsible tube. By thisa1'- rangement I am able to provide a larger opening through the neckand therefore a less force is necessary to force the tube contentsthrough this opening.

In the present invention I further show a novel type `of spring closurethat is secured to the neck of the tube without the necessity ofproviding fastening pins or other securing devices. The resiliency ofthe spring cover is suflicient to automatically close the opening whenthe pressure on the tube contents is freed. During the shipping of thetube the tube contents are sealed against accidental removal through thespring cover, and this sealing can be accomplished by -means of aseparate cap or by a fastening device that is brought into engagementwith the spring cover. When the tube is used the `cap may be removed andneed not bel attached to the neck again because the spring coverautomatically will close after each use of the tube and will protect thecontents. The fastening device can be adjusted to limit the amount ofopening of the spring cover, and this will cause a uniform ribbon-likeflow of material to issue from the mouth of the container regardless ofthe squeezing pressure exerted on the container.

The device also makes use of a novel Washer that cooperates With thespring cover and is disposed between the cover and supporting ledges inthe tube neck. 'Ihe pressure on this washer by the tube contents whenthe tube is squeezed will cause the washer to expand laterally and toact as a seal between the sides of the spring cover and the neck. Thiswill cause all of the tube contents to only pass through'the open end ofthe spring cover.

The device is extremely simple in construction and is durable andenicient for the purpose intended. K

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following specification,and the novel features of the device Will be particularly pointed out inthe appended claims.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming a partof this application, in which Figure l is a vertical section through thedevice showing it operatively applied to a container;

Figure 2 is a top plan View oiv a portion of the device;

Figure 3 is a front elevation of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is an isometric view of the sprin cover; i

Figure 6 shows a slightly modified form of the invention; and

Figure 7 is a view taken at right angles to Figure 6, showing the neckand spring cover in elevation.

In carrying out my invention I provide a container l which may be inthe'form of a collapsible tube. Ihis container has a conical-shaped end2 with an inwardly extending cylindricalshaped portion 3. A portion ofthe cylinder projects beyond the end 4 and is threaded at 5 forreceiving a cap 6. The inner end of the cylinder 3 has an inwardlyextending flange 1 that acts as a stop for a neck portion 8.

Figures 1 to 4 inclusive illustrate the particular construction of theneck 8 and it will be noted that this neck is cylindrical in shape andhas its outer cylindrical surface bearing against the inner cylindricalsurface of the portion 3. The bottom of the neck 8 rests on the inwardlyextending flange 1. Figure 4 further shows the neck 8 as being providedwith a cylindrical bore 9. One side of this bore is curved as shown atl0 in Figure l for guiding the tube contents toward a spring closureindicated generally at Il. Near the top of the bore 9 I provide sideledges or shoulders I2 clearly shown in Figures 2 and 4, and theseshoulders are positioned adjacent to side walls I3 that extend at rightangles to the shoulders. A rear ledge I4 is disposed at the topof thebore 9 and cooperates with the shoulders l2 for forming a seat for thespring closure II. Extensions l5 are positioned at the rear of the ledgeI 4 and act as a stop for the spring closure II.

Figures 1 to 4 inclusive also illustrate the neck 8 as being providedwith a grooved edge I6 for receiving the free end of the closure |I. Atthe opposite side of the neck I provide a longitudinally extendingrecess or groove I1. Although the body of the neck is cylindrical theupper portion of the neck is more in the nature of a cone with the apexextended in the form of a line. This line extends parallel with thegrooved edge I6 and with the rear projections |5.

In Figure 5 I show the spring closure by itself,

and it will be noted that the closure has an upwardly extending legportion I8 provided with an inwardly extending foot portion I9. Theclosure is enlarged at 20 and carries a lip portion 2| that extends atan angle with respect to the portion 20. The rear edges 22 of theportion 20 bear against the extensions I5 when the closure is'disposedin place. In securing the closure to the neck the elongated part I8 isplaced in the groove I'I before the neck is disposed in the cylinder 3.The foot I 9 is received in a notch 23 in the base of the neck. Theportion 20 rests on the shoulders I2 and ledge |4, while the lip 2| isreceived in the grooved edge I6. It will be seen that the closureentirely covers the open end of the bore 9. The flange 'I closes thebottom of the groove Il.

If desired a washer 24 may be placed between the portion 20of theclosure and the shoulders I2. This washer preferably is made hollow andof a yielding material so that when the tube contents are forced againstthe closure they will exert a. force against the inner wall of theWasher and cause the washer to bear against the side Walls I3 of theneck. This will provide a seal between the side edges of the portion 20andi the wallsv I3 with' a result that the tube contents will be forcedthrough the space provided betweeny the lip 2| and the grooved edge I6.The washer need not vbe used and is only mentioned as an additionalsealing means. The rear edges 22 of the portion 20 bear against theextensions I5 and hold the cover II in position during the openingoperation. This is not absolutely essential because Figure 1 illustrateshow the portion I8 bears against the cylinder 3. Therefore, this portionwill permit the closure to open without becoming dislodged. A uniquefeature of the closure I I lies in the fact that it can be readilyapplied to the neck and held in place without the need of any externalfastening means such as pins or the like. The neck is held in thecylinder 3 by forming a ridge 25 in the cylinder 3 that will enter agroove in the neck. Any other suitable means for securing the neck inplace may be resorted to.

From the foregoing description of the various parts of the device theoperation thereof may be readily understood.

As already stated the cap 6 covers the neck and closure during theshipping of the device. The top of the cap bears against the top of theclosure and acts as a positive seal for the closure. When using thedevice the cap 6 is removed and need not be applied again. The squeezingof the tube I will force the contents against the closure and will openit. 'I'he contents then will issue in a ribbon-like form through theopening provided by the lip 2|, the

tents in good condition until the device is used again.

As already stated less pressure is` needed to open the closure becausethe closure is disposed partially within the neck 8 and this brings theclosure closer to the container. The tube contents therefore will have aless distance to travel with the result that a less force need beexerted to open the closure. The bore 9 is larger in area than the neckof a standard tube. The tube contents therefore will flow more readilythrough the bore than through a standard tube, and this :will requireless squeezing force on the tube wall for opening the closure.

In Figures 6 and '7 I show a slightly modified form of the device. Inthis form a neck 26 is secured to a tube 21 by forcing a ring portion 28of the tube into a groove 29 in the neck. This neck has a bore 30similar to the bore 9 and the bore 30 is closed by a spring closure 3|similar to the closure II. disposed between the closure 3| and ledges 33formed in the neck. A lip 34 of the closure 3| rests against a ledge 35when the closure covers the bore 30.

The operation of this form of the device is the same as in the formshown in Figures 1 to 5 inclusive. The closure 3| is secured againstaccidental opening by a U-shaped member 36 that is pivoted at 3l to theneck. When the Ushape member is received in a notch 38 it will hold theclosure 3| against opening. When the operator wishes to use the tube hemoves the fastening member 36 to the second notch 38' and this willpermit the closure to open a predetermined. v

distance. It is unnecessary to move the fastening member 36 back to thenotch 38 after using the tube because the spring qualities of theclosure itself will cover the bore 30.

It is not necessary that the lip 2| be used Awith the portion 20. Theportion 2|) can close the bore 9 andthe closure will be held in positionby the shank I8 bearing against the sleeve or cylinder 3. When-the lip2| is omitted the groove I6 will also be dispensed with and this sidewill be extended flush with the shoulders I2, or could project above theshoulders to form a recess for the outer edge of the portion 2D.

If desired the shank I8 may be widened and the portion 20 lessened inwidth so that both would be the same width. This would do away with therear edges 22.

While I have shown only the preferred forms of my invention, it shouldbe understood that yvarious changes or modifications may be made withinthe scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit ofthe invention.

I claim:

1. In a device of the type described, a neck for a container having abore therein with two shoulders disposed at the end of the bore and onopposite sides thereof, a spring closure for closing the bore, and ahollow washer mounted on the under surface of the closure, said neckhaving side walls extending from the shoulders and constituting guidesfor the sides of the clo- If desired a washer 32 may be sure, thecontainer contents when forced against the closure for opening it alsobearing against the inner wall of the hollow washer for causing thewasher to seal the spaces between the closure and the side walls.

2. In a device of the type described, a container having a neck portion,a spring closure for the neck designed to be opened by the pressure ofthe container contents when the container is L75 CAD collapsed, alocking yoke pivotally carried by the neck, said neck having a pluralityof notches for holding the yoke in diierent positions, said yoke when inone position bearing against the closure for holding it in closedposition, and when in another position, limiting the opening movement ofthe closure.

3. In a device of the type described, a neck portion having a boretherein and an inclined top surrounded on its back and two sides withwalls, the neck portion also having a longitudinally extending groove inits outer surface leading from the back wall, the bottom of the neckportion being provided with a recess extending from the groove, and aspring closure including an extension received in the groove, saidextension having an inwardly projecting portion received in the recess,the closure also having an enlarged portion integral with the extensionand covering the inclined top, the rear edge of the enlarged portionbearing against the back wall, and the sides of the enlarged portioncontacting with the side walls.

4. In a device of the type described, a neck portion having a boretherein, the upper end of the neck being provided with two inclinedsurfaces and the side having a longitudinal groove therein with aninwardly extending recess, and a spring closure having a shank portionreceivable in the groove, said shank having an inwardly bent partreceivable in the recess, the upper part of the closure covering the twoinclined surfaces for closing the bore.

5. An article of manufacture comprising a neck piece with a boreextending therethrough, and a spring closure for the bore and havingbent portions engaging with the top and bottom of the neck piece forsecuring the closure to the neck piece.

6. In a device of the type described, a container provided with anoutlet sleeve, a neck piece mounted in the sleeve and having a boretherein, and a spring closure for the bore and having bent portionsengaging with the top and bottom of the neck piece for securing theclosure to the neck piece, said closure also having a portion lyingbetween the neck and the sleeve, whereby the sleeve holds the closureagainst removal during the opening of the closure.

7. In a device of the type described, a container, a neck piece havingan annular groove therein, said container having a ridge receivable inthe groove, said neck piece also having a bore extending therethrough, aspring closure for the bore, and a yoke for holding the coslure againstopening, said yoke being movable to permit a limited opening of theclosure.

8. In a device of the type described, a container provided with anoutlet sleeve, a neck piece mounted in the sleeve and having a boretherein, and a spring closure for the bore and having bent portionsengaging with the top and bottom of the neck piece for securing theclosure to the neck piece, said closure also having a portion lyingbetween the neck and the sleeve, whereby the sleeve holds the closureagainst removal during the opening of the closure, said sleeve beingthreaded, and a cap securable to the sleeve for holding the closureagainst opening.

GASTON L. LATEUR.

